reducing fear when cycling?

My point is, whatever form of transport, it might be it has about the same level of risk involved.

Not so much. The stats for this nationally do exist. Here's 2008, for eg:

(from http://cyclinguphill.com/safe-cycling-stats-cycle-casualties/ )

When it comes to fatality rates, literally everything is safer than walking and cycling, except motorcycling which we can perhaps regard as cycling on steroids. So yes, my current train/tube habit is statistically a lot safer than my previous cycle commute, although god help me on my walk to and from the stations.

^ That's pre-ebola tho

True. Tho isn't ebola spread by sweaty cycling gear being laid over monitors in the office anyway?

This so much.

Does not help by the fact I can take public transport for free.

I only become aware of how much attention I was required in London after riding in Basque Country, where the government made a massive impact on driver's behaviour when it come to overtaking cyclist, they even have a tv advert demonstrating how to overtake cyclists.

As a result, for the first time (since ever I think), I start to relax and doesn't need to look back that regularly, no longer I have to squeeze the bar in case the person behind me decided to do a punish pass (which is daily).

My point is, whatever form of transport, it might be it has about the same level of risk involved.
Not so much. The stats for this nationally do exist.

Fair enough, I was thinking of it in absolute numbers (i.e. 51 deaths on public transport on 7/7 for example) rather than in per passenger-mile terms.

I'm going to send her on an ELF ride, they so fearless.

The only time I've had a run in with a motorist was when I was filtering in the gutter with near stand still traffic, the position I put myself in was technically like undertaking I suppose? It's not natural for motorists to be passed on the left anyway.

I'm glad alot of vehicles now have stickers telling cyclists not to undertake, hopefully this will become natural behaviour, like looking before crossing the road.

I'm glad alot of vehicles now have stickers telling cyclists not to undertake

Are you saying that (in your opinion) cyclists should never undertake?

When darth vader tells me not to then I will stop, exactly the same as crossing the road.

Are you saying that (in your opinion) cyclists should never undertake?

I'm saying that undertaking should be seen as an inherently risky thing to be avoided wherever possible.

It's filtering, not undertaking, and is not only perfectly legal it's often exactly where the cycle lane is placed. It's up to drivers to look before turning, but cyclists injudiciously filtering is not how they are getting hurt, it's either rear impacts of a left hook, the cyclist did nothing whatsoever wrong.

Get a copy of Lost Lanes and go for some rides on quiet, rural, low-traffic routes. Taking primary and keeping up with traffic probably isn't realistic for someone who's a bit unfit and can't spin at 20mph plus, so head somewhere where there aren't so many impatient drivers and let her find out for herself if she enjoys cycling. If it isn't for her, let it go and find a new hobby to enjoy together. Perhaps spelunking.

As an aside, I seem to get more impatient arsehole drivers when I'm dressed in normal clothes on my upright bike than I do dressed like a 'proper cyclist' on the one with drops. Looking clearly female and normal seems to bring out the worst MGIF tendencies from some mouth-breathers. So I can understand her apprehension.

You said it pretty well, the problem is not people filtering on the inside, but for decades we (from society, to government) constantly insist that they should always hug the kerbs.

Then when some people got killed as a result, we blame them for doing so.

If a slower cyclist ahead is indicating a left turn from the primary position, which side should you pass them on? Or should you stop behind them and wait for them to complete the turn?

Either wait or overtake on the right hand side.

providing youve got the ability to control youre speed ...ffs

If a slower cyclist ahead is indicating a left turn from the primary position, which side should you pass them on? Or should you stop behind them and wait for them to complete the turn?

Imagine they are cars and not cyclists. What would happen?

Wait a sec, how far do you live from a tube station and how far is it to work at the other end? Do you walk it? Haven't you just exchanged one form of transport for a combination of a safer one and a less safe one?

(Not to mention that stat is accident per mile, skewed against short distance, ignores the fact that a lot of those cyclist and ped deaths are caused by the other forms of transport and the other benefits of more exercise and less pollution)

There is a lovely podcast from robin ince and brian cox on this subject listen to it. There is a mention of cycling AND why some cyclist need helmets and armour.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/timc/timc_20131118-1700b.mp3

Unless you replace cycling with other exercise that's a somewhat simplistic view though. There was a study in spain where it was found that cycling was far more beneficial to health, even taking into account cyclist deaths http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521

I must admit I have periods where I lose the will to cycle (my commute is all A roads in central London), just the faff of getting wrapped up in the winter puts me off at times, but whenever I get back and cycle I do enjoy it.

I think I would enjoy it less, and feel more nervous, though if I was slower. Being able to get up to 20mph+ and cycle like a car can make some bits feel far better.

On a separate note, is the Lost Lanes book good, looks like a nice idea to actually do some pleasant cycling. Any suggestions for similar books/websites?

Wait a sec, how far do you live from a tube station and how far is it to work at the other end? Do you walk it? Haven't you just exchanged one form of transport for a combination of a safer one and a less safe one?

Yes, that's exactly what I've done! So overall perhaps the balance of risk evens out, but my blood pressure levels are massively improved because I don't currently need to deal with the daily stress of punishment passes, abuse hurled from car windows, being cut up, pulled out on, SMIDSY'd, and having cunts in lorries overtake me and then pull left across my front wheel.

Instead I can sit on a nice warm / air-conditioned train, reading my book about road safety in peace, with a half-mile stroll each way at either end, one side of which is through a completely pedestrianised area. It is SO. MUCH. BETTER.

If a slower cyclist ahead is indicating a left turn from the primary position, which side should you pass them on? Or should you stop behind them and wait for them to complete the turn?

Close on the left, administering a kidney punch as you pass.

On a separate note, is the Lost Lanes book good, looks like a nice idea to actually do some pleasant cycling. Any suggestions for similar books/websites?

Lost Lanes is bloody great, FWIW. This site has a bunch of routes around London, though they aren't verified or rated by users: http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/London-Routes-89.html

Strava also has a thing where you can look at common routes that Strava users tend to use, but I have temporarily forgotten the URL.

Edit: this one - http://www.strava.com/routes/new (you'd need to have a start point and an end point in mind to use it, though)

On a separate note, is the Lost Lanes book good, looks like a nice
idea to actually do some pleasant cycling. Any suggestions for similar
books/websites?

Have a poke about in the TNRC / WNKR threads - there's plenty of lanesy routes.